Thursday, December 31, 2015

ACCORDING
TO UPSON S.O., ITS SPECULATED LIGHTNING CAUSED A HOUSE
FIRE WEDNESDAY AT 103 PINEVIEW DRIVE . IT DESTROYED THE
CARPORT AND LAUNDRY ROOM AND CAUSED SMOKE AND WATER DAMAGE THROUGHOUT THE HOME OF JOHN AND FERN SMITH.

THERE
WAS A THUNDERSTORM IN THE AREA AND FERN SMITH AND HER 11
YEAR OLD GRAND-DAUGHTER WERE ALONE—WHEN THEY HEARD A LOUD
BOOM AND SMELLED SMOKE.

THEY
MANAGED TO ESCAPE UNHARMED BUT THE CARPORT AND LAUNDRY ROOM
WERE FULLY INVOLVED WHEN UNITS ARRIVED—UNITS FROM NORTHSIDE,
ROCK HILL, YATESVILLE AND LINCOLN PARK. THEY MANAGED TO PUT
IT OUT.

What: State Route 109 near Meansville is closed due to flooding that has eroded the inlet approaches to the bridge over Gola Creek. The bridge is structurally sound and has not been topped by water. However, increased water flow has caused the embankments on both ends of the bridge to begin to erode. Georgia Department of Transportation crews are on scene assessing the damage and will determine how to proceed with repairs. GDOT estimates the road in that area will be closed for five days.

Where: SR 109 about one mile east of Meansville, bridge over Gola Creek. The road is closed between mileposts 14 and 18. Suggested alternate routes are U.S. 19/SR 3 and SR 18.

Monday, December 28, 2015

THOMASTON'
S ECONOMY IS GETTING A BOOST HEADED INTO THE NEW YEAR.
AT A CALLED MEETING MONDAY THE THOMASTON-UPSON INDUSTRIAL
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY APPROVED A RESOLUTION FOR A $7 MILLION
BOND FOR STANDARD TEXTILES—FOR MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT.
THE COMPANY IS PLEDGING TO CREATE 59 ADDITIONAL JOBS
BY THE END OF THE BOND IN 2017.

IDA
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR KYLE FLETCHER SAID STANDARD TEXTILES HAS
EXCEEDED THE NUMBER OF JOBS PROMISED IN A 2013 BOND. IT
ADDED 25 JOBS IN 2014 AND 49 IN 2015.

ON
A 2-1 VOTE THE THOMASTON CITY COUNCIL APPROVED A
RATE INCREASE FOR WATER AND SEWER AT A CALLED MEETING
MONDAY.

MAYOR
PRO TEM DOUG HEAD AND OUTGOING COUNCILMAN GARY ATWATER
WERE ABSENT. PATSY PERDUE MADE THE MOTION AND COUNCILMAN
RYAN TUCKER VOTED FOR IT. DON GREATHOUSE WAS OPPOSED— AND
HIS OPPOSITION BROUGHT A STRONG RESPONSE FROM MAYOR HAYS
ARNOLD WHO FAVORED IT.

IT TOOK TWO MOTIONS TO GET IT PASSED . AFTER SOME DISCUSSION
COUNCILMAN TUCKER ADDED A 2ND AND VOTED FOR IT. HE AGREED
—PROVIDED COUNCIL SITS DOWN WITH CONSULTANT JOHN HEWITT IN
THE NEW YEAR AND CONSIDERS A POSSIBLE REDUCTION IN ELECTICAL
RATES.

THE
NEW RATE EFFECTIVE JAN. 1ST WILL INCREASE WATER AND SEWER
78 CENTS A MONTH FOR A 1000 GALLON CUSTOMER AND AVERAGE
HOUSEHOLD USE OF 5000 GALLONS WILL GO UP $3.90 PER MONTH.
CITY MANAGER PATRICK COMISKEY SAID HEWITT'S LATEST FIGURES
SHOW A NEED FOR AN EVEN STEEPER HIKE IN WATER AND SEWER
RATES THAN THE ONE PASSED MONDAY.

MAYOR
ARNOLD SAID THE RATE HIKE IS NEEDED SO THE WATER AND
SEWER DEPARTMENT CAN MOVE CLOSER TO PAYING ITS OWN
WAY—SOMETHING COUNCILMAN TUCKER AGREED WITH.

THE
CITY MANAGER POINTED TO A SHRINKING CUSTOMER BASE TO
JUSTIFY THE RATE INCREASE —WATER USE IS DOWN 37% SINCE
2007—YET INFRASTRUCURE COSTS ARE ON-GOING.

Thursday, December 24, 2015

EMERGENCY
SIRENS WERE ACTIVATED THURSDAY AFTERNOON —AFTER THE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ISSUED A TORNADO WARNING— FOR
ABOUT 30 MINUTES JUST AFTER 1PM. INCLUDED IN THE WARNING
AREA--- EAST CENTRAL UPSON COUNTY, SOUTH EAST LAMAR COUNTY,
NORTH WEST CRAWFORD COUNTY AND ALL OF MONROE COUNTY.

THE
WARNING WAS CANCELLED AROUND 1;45PM.

UPSON
EMA DIRECTOR MARTHA ANN MCCARTY TOLD US THE NATIONAL
WEATHER SERVICE REPORTED A TORNADO SIGNATURE ON RADAR IN
EAST CENTRAL UPSON COUNTY SOUTHEAST LAMAR AND NORTH
MONROE COUNTY—BUT SO FAR NO CONFIRMATION OF A TOUCHDOWN.

UPSON
COUNTY SHERIFF DAN KILGORE SAID HIS DEPUTIES ARE CHECKING TO
SEE IF THERE WAS A TORNADO TOUCHDOWN AND IF THERE IS DAMAGE.

THE
SHERIFF SAID ONE OF HIS DEPUTIES WHO LIVES IN MONROE COUNTY
REPORTED HIGH WINDS AT HIS RESIDENCE BUT NO CONFIRMATION OF
A TORNADO TOUCHDOWN.

EMA
DIRECTOR MCCARTY SAID A HOUSE WAS FLOODED AT 410 EAST
THOMPSON STREET IN THOMASTON AND EMA WAS PLACING SAND BAGS
AT A RETENTION POND IN FRONT OF GOLDEN LIVING CENTER ON
AVE. F. TO KEEP WATER OUT OF THE NURSING HOME.

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

GRIFFIN
JUDICIAL CIRCUIT DISTRICT ATTORNEY SCOTT BALLARD TOLD ZOOM
NEWS FRIDAY—HE IS CONTINUING TO WORK ON THE INVESTIGATIVE
REPORT OF THE OFFICER PHLLIP TOBIN CASE—BUT HE DECLINED TO
SET A TIME-TABLE ON WHEN IT MIGHT BE COMPLETED.

THERE
WERE OVER 75 CITIZEN COMPLAINTS FILED AGAINST TOBIN'S
POLICING METHODS AND THE THOMASTON POLICE DEPARTMENT
INVESTIGATOR HAS BEEN ON PAID ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE FOR
OVER A YEAR.

THE
GBI CONDUCTED AN INVESTIGATION THEN TURNED ITS FINDINGS
OVER TO THE D.A.

DISTRICT
ATTORNEY BALLARD TOLD US—WITH SUCH A HIGH NUMBER OF
DOCUMENTS THAT MUST BE REVIEWED IT HAS BEEN TIME CONSUMING.

HE
WENT ON THE SAY—THIS IS REALLY NOT HIS PURVIEW —BUT HE
AGREED TO TAKE ON THIS PHASE OF THE TOBIN CASE BECAUSE
THE GBI HAS BEEN SADDLED WITH SO MANY OTHER INVESTIGATIONS—SO HE
VOLUNTEERED TO HELP THEM OUT.

THREE
CITIZENS WHO HAD ENCOUNTERS WITH TOBIN WERE INDICTED BY
THE UPSON COUNTY GRAND JURY—AFTER THE GBI PRESENTED
EVIDENCE . ACCORDING TO THE INDICTMENTS-- BETTY SNIPES FOR
POKING HER FINGER IN TOBINS FACE AND HER DAUGHTER TAMMY
DAWSON FOR JUMPING ON HIS BACK.

CONVICTED
DRUG DEALER KELSEY ROCKEMORE FOR ALLEGEDLY TRYING TO KICK
TOBIN WHEN THE OFFICER RESPONDED TO A CALL AT HANDY MART
ON EAST WALKER—A COMPLAINT THAT ROCKEMORE WAS TRYING TO
DEAL DRUGS.

ROCKEMORE
IS SUEING THE CITY OF THOMASTON FOR A MILLION DOLLARS
CLAIMING HE WAS TASERED WITHOUT CAUSE.

Monday, December 21, 2015

THE
NEW GA. SOUTHERN FOOTBALL COACH HAS STRONG CONNECTIONS TO
THOMASTON.

TYSON
SUMMERS, DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR FOR COACH MIKE BOBO AT
COLORADO STATE-- THE SON-IN-LAW OF PATTI AND FRANK KING—IS
EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED AT GA. SOUTHERN ON SATURDAY. HE
IS MARRIED TO BETH KING SUMMERS OF THOMASTON. THEY HAVE
THREE BOYS—AGES 7, 5 AND 3.

COACH
SUMMERS FROM TIFTON IS TAKING OVER FOR COACH WILLIE FRITZ
WHO IS THE NEW COACH AT TULANE.

TYSON COACHED AT GA.
SOUTHERN IN 2006 AND THEN AT UAB AND CENTRAL FLORIDA
BEFORE JOINING COACH BOBO. HIS DEFENSE AT COLORADO STATE
RANKS 20TH IN THE NATION IN PASS DEFENSE.

POWER WAS OUT IN THE UPSON COUNTY NORTHSIDE AREA FOR ABOUT TWO HOURS EARLY MONDAY—AFTER A PICK-UP TRUCK LEFT 19 NEAR ATWATER ROAD—CLIPPED A UTILITY POLE AND CRASHED ON THE PORCH OF GINGER'S PLACE.

ACCORDING TO POST 26 GA. STATE PATROL—THE DRIVER OF THE FORD PICK-UP GEORGE W. HORTMAN OF BUTLER—WAS NOT INJURED. HORTMAN WAS SOUTH-BOUND AT 5;30AM ON 19 WHEN THE TRUCK LEFT THE ROAD AND SNAPPED THE POWER POLE..

THREE
ACCIDENTS WITH 3 FATALITIES IN PIKE COUNTY SATURDAY .
ACCORDING TO THE PIKE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE—A 5TH GRADER
AT SKIPSTONE ACADEMY IN GRIFFIN WAS KILLED IN A 4-WHEELER
ACCIDENT .

11
YEAR OLD LANE FORREST BRANNON OF GRIFFIN WAS OPERATING A
4-WHEELER WHEN IT OVERTURNED ON HIM CAUSING NUMEROUS INJURIES.
HE WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE E.R. AT SPALDING REGIONAL WHERE
HE WAS PRONOUNCED DECEASED.

TWO
PIKE COUNTY RESIDENTS . DIED WHEN A TOYOTA SCION LEFT
PEDENVILLE ROAD AND HIT A TREE—JUSTIN TURNER AND DEVEN
MILLER DIED AT THE SCENE. TOXICOLOGY REPORTS ARE PENDING.

ALSO
SATURDAY ON HUTCHINSON ROAD A HONDA ACCORD HIT A POWER
POLE—SHEARING IT IN HALF. THE DRIVER 56 YEAR OLD STEVE
BLANTON WAS AIR FLIGHTED TO GRADY HOSPITAL. BLANTON HAD A
SUSPENDED DRIVERS LICENSE AND RESULTS OF THE BLOOD
TOXICOLOGY ANALYSIS IS PENDING AT THE GBI CRIME LAB—ALCOHOL
BELIEVED TO BE A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT

Thursday, December 17, 2015

THE
CITY OF THOMASTON HAS RELEASED THE NAMES OF THE TWO
FINALISTS FOR CHIEF OF POLICE . MICHAEL RICHARDSON, A
LIEUTENANT WITH THE GRIFFIN POLICE DEPARTMENT, WHO CURRENTLY
SUPERVISES THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DIVISION. RICHARDSON
WAS SELECTED AS THE GRIFFIN JUDICIAL CIRCUIT 2015 OFFICER OF
THE YEAR AND LIVES IN MEANSVILLE.

THE
OTHER FINALIST IS H.C. “SKIP” CLARK, FORMER POLICE CHIEF
OF PEACHTREE CITY WHERE HE SERVED AS CHIEF FROM 2008-2014.
PREVIOUS TO PEACHTREE CITY, CLARK WAS CHIEF OF POLICE IN JUNO
BEACH, FLORIDA FOR EIGHT YEARS. CLARK CURRENTLY RESIDES IN
PEACHTREE CITY.

CITY
MANAGER PATRICK COMISKEY SAYS THE NEW CHIEF WILL BE NAMED
BY THE END OF THE MONTH, POSSIBLY AT A MEETING ON DECEMBER
28TH.

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

THE
PUBLISHER OF THE THOMASTON TIMES NEWSPAPER , RICK THOMASON ,
HAS CONFIRMED THE TIMES WILL CEASE PUBLICATION DECEMBER
29TH.

MR.
THOMASON TOLD US WHEN THE COMPANY WAS DEVELOPING ITS
BUDGETS FOR 2016 IT COULD NOT JUSTIFY CONTINUING TO OPERATE
IN A TWO NEWSPAPER TOWN WITHOUT SUFFICIENT COMMUNITY
SUPPORT.

HE
SAID CLOSING THE TIMES IS THE HARDEST THING HE HAS EVER
HAD TO DO, THE FIRST TIME IN HIS 35 YEAR NEWSPAPER CAREER
HE HAS HAD TO SHUT DOWN A PAPER.

THE
THOMASTON TIMES CURRENTLY HAS 5 FULL TIME EMPLOYEES AND
HAS BEEN IN BUSINESS SINCE 1869.

THE
TIMES AND THE LA GRANGE NEWSPAPER ARE THE ONLY TWO
NEWSPAPERS IN GEORGIA IN THE CIVITAS MEDIA CHAIN BASED IN
DAVIDSON, NORTH CAROLINA. THE COMPANY PUBLISHES DOZENS OF
PAPERS IN NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA, ILLINOIS, OHIO, OKLAHOMA,
AND MISSOURI.

PUBLISHER
THOMASON URGED THE COMMUNITY TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE
REMAINING NEWSPAPER, THE UPSON BEACON.

Thursday, December 10, 2015

THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION HAS CHARGED ATLANTA-BASED
BUSINESSMAN CHRISTOPHER BROGDON OF MISUSING INVESTOR FUNDS
RAISED TO BUY AND RENOVATE SENIOR LIVING FACILITIES—ONE OF
THEM PROVIDENCE HEALTH CARE 1011 SOUTH GREEN STREET IN
THOMASTON.

THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CLAIMS BROGDON AMASSED NEARLY $190 MILLION
THROUGH DOZENS OF MUNICIPAL BOND AND PRIVATE PLACEMENT
OFFERINGS IN WHICH INVESTORS SUPPOSEDLY EARN INTEREST FROM
REVENUES GENERATED BY THE SENIOR LIVING FACILITIES BUT BROGDON
SECRETLY COMMINGLED INVESTOR FUNDS INSTEAD OF USING THE
MONEY TO FINANCE THE PROJECT DESCRIBED TO INVESTORS.

THE
THOMASTON-UPSON INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY SERVED AS THE
ISSUER OF $8.9 MILLION IN BONDS TO GORDON JENSON
HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATION—A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION , TO
PURCHASE PROVIDENCE HEALTH CARE.

ACCORDING
TO A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE IDA—THE AUTHORITY, THE CITY
OF THOMASTON, AND UPSON COUNTY ARE NOT FINANCIALLY
RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLAYMENT OF THE BONDS , BUT THE IDA IS
MONITORING THE SITUATION AS IT DEVELOPS.

THE ANNUAL PIKE COUNTY YOUTH
CHRISTMAS PARADE SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13TH AT 3PM IS GOING TO
BE THE BIGGEST EVER WITH ACTIVITIES 2 TO 6PM ON THE
ZEBULON SQUARE—WITH SPECIAL GUEST SANTA CLAUS.

UNITS INCLUDE THE ATLANTA MOTOR
SPEEDWAY PACE CAR AND GRAND MARSHALL WILL BE PIKE COUNTY'S
18 YEAR OLD MADELINE -- MAD MADDIE CRANE -- WHO EARNED HER
NASCAR LICENSE EARLIER THIS YEAR. MADDIE WILL BE A GUEST ON
THE ZOOM'S MICK IN THE MORNING SHOW FRIDAY IN THE 9
O'CLOCK HOUR—TO DISCUSS HER RACING CAREER AND THE PARADE.

AN
EMPLOYEE OF J AND J NAIL SALON AT THE ROSE'S SHOPPING
CENTER IN GRIFFIN WAS LIFE-FLIGHTED TO AN ATLANTA HOSPITAL,
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON---AFTER AN 87 YEAR OLD FEMALE MOTORIST
SLAMMED INTO THE BUILDING.

THE
38 YEAR OLD EMPLOYEE WAS IN CRITICAL CONDITION WITH HEAD
AND LEG INJURIES AND THE CHAIR SHE WAS SITTING-ON MIGHT
HAVE SAVED HER LIFE.

GRIFFIN
POLICE SAID THE CHAIR BRACED THE VAN UP-IN-THE-AIR A BIT
SO SHE WAS NOT PINNED TOTALLY UNDER THE VECHILE. THE VAN
SMASHED THROUGH THE STORE-FRONT AND DRAGGED THE EMPLOYEE INTO
THE VACANT SUITE NEXT DOOR.

THE
FEMALE MOTORIST WAS TAKEN TO THE E.R. BY HER FAMILY TO GET
CHECKED-OUT. SHE WAS BACKING HER VAN INTO A PARKING SPACE
WHEN SHE LOST CONTROL.

LT.
MICHAEL NATALE OF GRIFFIN P.D. SAID THE SHOP WAS BUSY WHEN
THE CRASH HAPPENED JUST AFTER 4PM AND THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN
MORE VICTIMS IF THE VAN HAD GONE STRAIGHT INTO THE STORE.

THE
DRIVER WILL NOT RECEIVE ANY TYPE OF CITATION FOR THE
INCIDENT—BUT SOME QUESTIONED WHY AN 87 YEAR OLD IS STILL
ALLOWED TO DRIVE. UNDER GEORGIA LAW—THE LAST TIME AN
87 YEAR OLD WOULD HAVE BEEN REQUIRED TO TAKE A DRIVING
TEST WOULD HAVE BEEN DURING THE ADMINISTRATION OF PRESIDENT
HARRY TRUMAN.

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

On Monday, December 7 2015 at approximately 7:45 pm Deputies from the Upson County Sheriff’s Office responded to 440 West Moore’s Crossing Road in reference to a 911 call of a domestic disturbance in progress. Upson arrival, deputies observed Eric “Redd” Manuel, 43, of Thomaston standing across the road holding a .22 rifle. Manuel, who was covered in blood, was ordered to drop the rifle and surrender to deputies. Randy Raines, 48, of 440 West Moore’s Crossing Road was found lying in his driveway at 440 West Moore’s Crossing Road with a large laceration to his neck. Raines died from his injuries soon after deputies arrived. A 42 year old female was also in the driveway. She was not injured.

Our preliminary investigation indicates that the female is the estranged wife of Manuel and she and Raines now have a relationship. There is an order from Magistrate Court that prohibits Manuel from contacting the female. Evidence indicates that Manuel went to the residence of Raines and a confrontation ensued resulting in the death of Raines.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation was called to assist with the crime scene investigation. The Griffin District Attorney’s Office responded to assist. This investigation is active and ongoing.

Eric “Redd” Manuel is being held in the Upson County Jail. Warrants will be sought charging Manuel with Murder.

Parents, Stakeholders, and Interested Citizens are invited to a Reception with theUpson Lee Middle School Principal Rhonda Gulley on Wednesday, December 9, at 12:00 Noon in the school media center. Come enjoy refreshments and learn about some of the great things going on at ULMS. Mrs. Gulley will also discuss the Milestone test results and how the test affects your child and our school. This is a great opportunity for you to ask questions, give input, and make suggestions. We want to hear from you!